James Clayton Phillips

Statesboro, GA. - James Clayton Phillips, age 89 born June 26th, 1932, in Fairhope, Alabama passed away peacefully with his wife and family by his side at home in Statesboro, Georgia on November 7th, 2021. He was predeceased by his parents Helen Dennis Taylor and George Samuel Odom of Mobile, Alabama and a son, Ronnie Clay Phillips of Gulf Shores, Alabama.

After graduating from high school, Clayton enlisted in the United States Navy where he served during the Korean War. A navy veteran, he served on the USS Bon Homme and received a National Defense Medal of Honor, Korean Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

After his military service, Clayton worked at Union Carbide as a Training Coordinator and Supervisor for many years. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion and attended First Baptist Church in Statesboro, Georgia. After retiring, he devoted his time to his wife, children, grandchildren, great grand-children, and family. A genuine Southern Gentleman, Clayton loved his family and friends and would go out of his way to help anyone who needed it. He loved his many pets over the years (Rags, Hannah, Dolly and Maggie, as well as carpentry and fixing things, telling old stories and jokes, dancing, watching Alabama Football and old western movies. He was an avid bible and devotional reader and absolutely loved eating his wife’s southern cooking. Most important, he loved spending time with his loving wife of 21 years, Claire Phillips and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Clayton is survived by his loving (wife), Claire Oliver Phillips, (sisters), Mary Dennis Odom, Vivian Loretta Welch, (Sons), Mark Phillips (Tammy), Anthony Eugene Phillips, Robert Bruce Woodard. (Daughters), Wanda Lee Woodard, Terry Dee Miller, Melanie Rodriguez (Rey), Natalie Hendrix Tate (Mark), and Stephanie Hendrix. Clayton was the father of 9 children and he had 31 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grand Children and 1 Great-Great Grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Friday, November 12th, 2021 at Pine Crest Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Long officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service starting at 9:00 a.m. A graveside interment will be held for family and friends following the memorial service at Pine Crest Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clayton’s Grandsons.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances and memorials may be sent to K9s for Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of Service Dogs for disabled Military Veterans (www.k9forwarriors.org) and the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held later in Statesboro, Ga. Time and Date to be determined. The family would like to extend its expression of gratitude to Regency Hospice in Statesboro, Ga and his Caregiver, Michelle Walker of Statesboro, Georgia for their dedicated work, compassionate care and support.